CD artwork

So for the past week, Dave has been busy designing the art for the CD. This is actually pretty tedious work, and I am glad I don't have to do it!

When you get a CD manufactured, they give you some pretty exacting measurements that you have to comply with, or they end up having to redo your artwork (for which they will charge you a fortune.) The jewel case has a card that is inserted into the back (the spot where you can read all the songs.) And then there is a card which you pop in the front window.

We've had a lot of back and forth on exactly what information should be on all of these pages. It is fairly challenging to cram a lot of info into such a small place, so we've had to be fairly sparing. Hopefully, we can supplement the packaging here at the blog.

Hopefully I can get Dave's OK to post the art here. I love the theme he's gone with, which is a lot of earthy wood tones.

Some idiot with a guitar

Picture courtesy Natalie C.

The avant garde sideways shot

I took this one, using Natalie's camera.



This is Natalie C. and Cathy singing their lungs out!

Mr. Bigglesworth?

(Photo courtesy Natalie C.)

This looks a lot like Dr. Evil's cat, doesn't it? But this is not an evil kitty - this is one of the recording studio kitties at Fat Dog Productions.

We had a few kitty related challenges in fact, as a couple of our singers are allergic to cats. Felines and vocalists had to stay separate most of the time. :)

There's certainly a God

And I suspect He has a great sense of humour!

Prepare Ye

"...you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways." (Luke 1:76)

One small thing musicians at church give up at Lent (everybody does actually) is singing Alleluia. It is not a Lenten discipline per se, but I actually feel it over the course of those forty days. I'm very fond of certain songs that have Alleluia in them - such as Michael W. Smith's Agnus Dei.

But more than being a season of sacrifice, for me, Lent is a season of anticipation. Even musically. The highlight of our year is the annual aggregation of all the musicians for Holy Thursday, when something very special and almost magical happens. And this year, there's also the anticipation of our CD release, which will be phenomenal.

But how would you recognize a season of plenty without also knowing a season of need? That's what Lent is for me - a period to relearn the patience of 40 days. Because the way to Emmaus must run through the Via Dolorosa first.

Sing Praise

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. (Psalm 149:1)

We haven't done one in a while, but I have really enjoyed hosting praise and worship evenings at Blessed Sacrament. There are a lot of hymns about God, there are a lot of hymns persona dei (sung in God's name), but I especially like the ones that simply talk to him in worshipful terms.

I think "Thank You Jesus" may be my favourite of these in our regular line up. It kind of gets right to the point, even in the song title. What's yours?